Despite public opposition, numerous Democrats continue to call for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be abolished. It’s a belief that falls squarely outside the American mainstream: According to a recent POLITICO/Morning Consult poll, only 25 percent of voters support getting rid of ICE.
A majority of Americans know we must keep ICE, and for good reason: Eliminating this crucial piece of our national security force would grind immigration enforcement to a halt, with devastating consequences for public safety. Abolishing ICE would mean abolishing the agency responsible for removing drug dealers, gang members, and other criminals who exploit America’s border to take advantage of our communities.
The numbers don’t lie. Criminals arrested by ICE during the 2017 fiscal year were responsible for:
• More than 76,000 dangerous drug offenses;
• More than 48,000 assault offenses;
• More than 11,000 weapon offenses;
• More than 5,000 sexual assault offenses;
• More than 2,000 kidnapping offenses; and
• More than 1,800 homicide offenses.
Our immigration law enforcement officers work in dangerous conditions to protect our communities. We must stand with them. Recently, 167 Democrats in the House of Representatives refused to vote for a resolution to support these border officials. “To the courageous public servants at ICE, men and women, we want you to know that the American people are with you and my administration has your back 100 percent,” President Trump said in his most recent weekly address.
Watch President Trump’s weekly address on immigration enforcement.
The facts: Abolishing ICE would open the floodgates—to crime, drugs, and terrorism